"Aiden, be careful…" Seeing that mechanical body, the just-arrived 2B rushed up, holding a blade and standing in front of Aiden, staring dead at that mechanical lifeform.
"No need to worry, I'm not an enemy."
Seeing the YoRHa androids' actions, that mechanical lifeform immediately said, while shaking the white flag it was carrying, indicating it had no ill intent.
But how could the androids possibly believe it, they had just been fighting mechanical lifeforms, and still held hostility toward them.
However, they were also a bit curious this mechanical lifeform could actually speak so fluently.
"2B… you all put away your weapons, it indeed has no malice." Aiden said while walking around her.
2B was still a little uneasy. She tilted her head and looked at A2, who knowingly nodded, then walked alongside 2B in front of Aiden. She also said, "No matter what, it's better to be cautious. Let us walk in front."
"I'm not that fragile." Although Aiden said this, he still slowed his steps and followed behind them.
Anyway, since there was no danger, he didn't need to worry anything would happen.
The group quickly walked up to that gentle mechanical lifeform. While staying alert, the YoRHa androids scrutinized the mechanical lifeform in front of them.
"Thank you all for helping eliminate the broken mechanical lifeforms. To show my gratitude, I would like to invite you to our village." This gentle mechanical lifeform didn't mind the androids' gazes. It first expressed its thanks, then extended an invitation to everyone.
"Village? Are all the mechanical lifeforms in your village like you?" 2B also noticed the green eyes of the mechanical lifeform in front of her, completely different from the red-eyed ones. An idea instantly arose, perhaps mechanical lifeforms with blue eyes could communicate, or rather, were not threatening.
"Yes, in our village, all are peace-loving mechanical lifeforms," the gentle mechanical lifeform said.
"In that case, let's go take a look." Aiden said with great interest. He was especially curious about the peaceful village, Pascal's Village.
"Alright then, since you want to go, we'll go with you, although I still think it's a bit suspicious."
A2 still didn't quite trust this strange mechanical lifeform. Although she truly didn't feel any hostility from it, she was just somewhat uneasy. But hearing that Aiden wanted to go, she didn't oppose, instead, she suggested everyone go together.
None of the other androids objected, except Yakor. Like Aiden, they were very curious about that peaceful mechanical lifeform village.
"Then everyone, please follow me." Seeing everyone agreed, the gentle mechanical lifeform nodded, turned, and flew off.
Its speed wasn't fast. The group could easily follow behind it. As they left the amusement park ruins, everyone noticed that in the distant sky, a few rockets trailing brilliant tails suddenly appeared.
"What's that?" 2B stopped and looked up.
"It should be the Resistance transporting resources to the Bunker and the humans on the Moon. After all, collecting resources in space is still too difficult." Aiden had seen the Resistance collect a lot of fuel, steel, food, and water a few days ago. Combined with the game's plot, he immediately explained.
9S, who was about to open his mouth to explain, closed it. Aiden had already said what he wanted to say. He walked off, a bit disappointed.
No one present noticed his departure. 2B even sighed and said, "The Resistance has to both fight mechanical lifeforms and provide resources for the Bunker and humans. They're really working hard."
"Who says they're not? They've sacrificed so much." A2 added.
"Once those mechanical lifeforms are wiped out, I hope humanity can grant them honor and awards, at least verbally."
For androids, verbal praise from humans far outweighed any material reward. Their very existence was for the revival of humanity.
Hearing A2's words, Aiden silently nodded at the side, "They definitely will."
———
When the group followed that gentle mechanical lifeform across the suspension bridge not far from the amusement park ruins, a village appeared before their eyes.
It was a village where most buildings were built on trees. On the protruding wooden platforms stood all kinds of mechanical lifeforms. They held white flags and kept waving them, both to express that they had no malice and to welcome everyone's arrival.
"Looks like they really have no malice." 2B quickly scanned the area and found that all the mechanical lifeforms in this village had green eyes.
"Just looks like it. We should still be cautious." 9S reminded her, "After all, they're mechanical lifeforms. Don't trust too easily."
2B noncommittally nodded, then looked at Aiden and saw he had already walked up to a mechanical lifeform.
Though she didn't feel any hostility from them, recalling 9S's words, she hurried after him. But she was still one step behind, A2 and 11B were already standing to Aiden's left and right. She could only stand behind them, just like Yakor.
Aiden didn't notice what was happening behind him. His attention was fully on the mechanical lifeform in front of him.
At this moment, that mechanical lifeform put down the white flag in its hand, and bent its waist somewhat comically and said, "Hello, I am this village's chief, Pascal. Welcome to our village."
Then it continued, "In this village, all are pacifists who avoid combat. Please rest assured, we hold no hostility whatsoever. If you'd like, you may verify for yourselves. You may go anywhere in our village and experience our enthusiasm and friendliness."
"I've already felt your enthusiasm and friendliness." Aiden glanced at the mechanical lifeforms around him still waving flags, then smiled and extended his hand to Pascal.
"My name is Aiden. Nice to meet you."
Pascal had interacted with androids before and understood what this meant. After letting out an unpleasant laugh, it extended a hand and shook Aiden's, "I'm also very pleased to meet you."
"Hey, Aiden, you really just believed them? They're mechanical lifeforms, our enemies."
Seeing Aiden shake hands with the mechanical lifeform, the androids were all a bit tense and nervous that something unpredictable might happen the next second. 9S even shouted.
"Shut up, you talk too much." Yakor turned back and glared at him. Although she knew he was one of the story's main characters, she was still annoyed.
"But…"
9S still wanted to say something, but Pascal then spoke, "I can understand his tension. After all, the fighting between us has lasted many years. But I still want to say, we truly love peace. And… we've also had communication with androids."
Hearing Pascal say they'd communicated with androids, A2 and the others were very surprised. 2B, although she had dropped most hostility after seeing Aiden shake hands with Pascal, still asked with some doubt, "Who did you communicate with?"
"Should be the Resistance. There's only one android base nearby." Aiden directly answered. He remembered this part of the story very clearly.
"Yes, but mainly with Miss Anemone. She's a very reasonable android." Pascal nodded. "She has helped us a lot and is a friend of our village."
"Didn't expect you actually knew Anemone." A2 was surprised, then narrowed her eyes, face full of danger, "As her good friend, she never told me."
Aiden patted her shoulder and comforted her, saying, "Probably afraid you'd misunderstand. After all, androids becoming friends with mechanical lifeforms, who'd believe that?"
A2 thought about it and felt it made sense, so she nodded, "True. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I really wouldn't believe it, might even suspect Anemone betrayed the androids."
Of course, she also understood, even if Anemone betrayed the androids, it was impossible she'd mix with mechanical lifeforms. That's why she said "might" and "suspect."
Listening to their conversation, 2B gradually understood some of the truth. But she still asked in confusion, "Even if you're friends with Anemone, the reason for inviting us over can't be just to explain that, right?"
"Of course not. Inviting you was mainly to express thanks, and to present you with a gift."
Saying this, Pascal waved to the mechanical lifeforms nearby. Then several mechanical lifeforms walked over carrying baskets of fruit.
"That Beauvoir from the amusement park ruins often harassed us and took many of our companions. Since our village is full of peace-loving mechanical lifeforms, there aren't many with combat power, we couldn't beat it."
"I was going to ask Miss Anemone for help, but she said she couldn't do anything… Makes sense, even if she agreed, other androids probably wouldn't help. But this morning, Anemone contacted me and said she'd send someone to investigate, so I sent it to the amusement park ruins."
Pascal said while pointing to the mechanical lifeform that had led them, then continued, "Didn't expect you really dealt with that broken mechanical lifeform. To thank you, I specially prepared some fruit picked from the forest. I heard your base is collecting food. These fruits are edible, so please don't be polite, take them."
After saying this, it asked the village mechanical lifeforms to place the fruit baskets in front of Aiden's group.
"Then we won't be polite." Aiden nodded with a smile.
Of course, he wouldn't be polite. Helping them with such a huge problem, accepting some gifts was perfectly normal, especially when it was just fruit.
Seeing Aiden accept the gifts, Pascal was very happy. After letting out a few unpleasant electronic laughs, it added, "By the way, if everyone's interested, you can walk around the village. We're very hospitable."
Aiden originally wanted to agree. He was very interested in Pascal's Village and wanted to observe the habits of these mechanical lifeforms up close. But thinking it wasn't the right time, he shook his head and declined.
"Sorry, we still need to return and report what happened at the amusement park ruins. No time right now," he said.
"What a pity." Pascal human-like spread its hands, "Seems we'll have to wait until you're free. But please rest assured, we always welcome your arrival."
"Thanks for that." Aiden said.
Then the group picked up the fruit baskets and was about to leave. But just as they turned, Pascal seemed to remember something and called out to them.
"Wait a moment, please bring this oil filter to Anemone."
To be honest, it had originally planned to use this to prove its connection to Anemone. But it hadn't expected Aiden to trust it so quickly and forgot. Only now did it remember.
"Okay." Aiden nodded. But since he was holding a basket of fruit and had no spare hand, in the end Yakor reluctantly took the oil-stained part.
———
After saying goodbye to Pascal, the group began returning to the Resistance camp the way they came.
On the way, 9S carried a fruit basket as tall as himself, didn't join in the conversation, and seemed lost in thought. Eventually, he couldn't hold back and suddenly spoke, "I think we should report this to the Bunker and have the Commander send more androids to investigate and monitor that mechanical lifeform village."
Everyone turned to look at him, not understanding why he suddenly brought this up. 11B even frowned and said discontentedly, "I don't think that's necessary, 9S. They've already stated they're pacifists."
"Mechanical lifeforms' words can't be trusted. Don't be fooled by appearances," 9S said seriously.
"So you're saying… Anemone has been fooled too?" A2 looked coldly at 9S. The little bit of goodwill she'd just built up for him these days instantly vanished.
"Possibly." 9S, holding a basket taller than himself, couldn't see A2's expression and said to himself, "Maybe some component in her body has a problem. I think she needs a full inspection."
"She can, but before Anemone is checked, I'll take you apart first and check you." A2 would never allow anyone to slander her good friend, especially when the one speaking was her former rival.
Hearing A2's threat, 9S's face stiffened. He turned to 2B, just about to ask her opinion, when he heard 2B say, "9S, I think it's better not to report this to the Bunker. Otherwise, it might bring danger to that village."
"2B, even you…" 9S looked at 2B in disbelief. After a long pause, he finally slumped his shoulders and said, "Alright, I won't report it."
After that came a long silence.
At this point, the group had already approached the city where the Resistance camp was located. Just then, 2B's support unit beeped. Then a voice, almost in tears, came through.
"Operator 6O calling Unit 2B. It's our scheduled communication time… sob sob… waaah…"
Hearing the crying voice from the other end of the communicator, 2B's expression became a bit awkward. She carefully glanced to the side, sure enough, everyone's eyes were full of curiosity. She had no choice but to ask, "6O, what's wrong?"
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